Not only is this dress a cutie with it's rich floral print, but I also appreciate anything that gives me an excuse to pull out my mustard colored classic Coach handbag! Isn't the pigment the absolute best version of mustard (see 'Cousin It' photo above)?

I'm glad I cast aside my apprehensions and made this purchase =) This time around I paired this vintage number with textured socks and my red Baby Jane's; It was such a fun fit to wear!

Thank YOU for stopping by! Please feel free to comment and have a wonderful day!

Friday, June 27, 2014

TGIF Beauties!I'd like you to imagine, a chevron maxi dress that never seems to end. Imagine a dress that was hemmed 3 inches shorter, yet it still skims just past your ankles.

I have such a dress, my chevron maxi dress truly feels endless. I've shared previously that I am not very fond of long dresses and skirts. Yet, I'm won over by the fact that that this dress is 100% cotton, and it's super cool and wearable even on the hottest of days.

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Although I’ll honestly admit to having a mild obsession with fashion and style, that is only one small aspect of “me”, the person that I truly am within. I find that it can be somewhat challenging to properly and fully convey one’s feelings using social media and electronic modes of communication. For some reason I have felt more comfortable opening up about my feelings on my Instagram account , than I actually felt comfortable to do on this blog. But then I thought to myself: ‘That’s not fair to my blog readers! I want them to see and know multi-facets of my personality too.’

To start, I’ve always been a writer at heart. I have memories of writing short stories, and keeping a personal journal from elementary school on up. I even dabbled in poetry, and had my first poem published when I was 16. Since I started this blog I have craved a space to discuss my random thoughts and feelings on a variety of topics, some being outside of the fashion and style arenas. I created an opportunity when I opened up as to why I decided to start this blog here, and then again just recently when I invited other bloggers to weigh in with me on a somewhat controversial topic, here. However you'll find that most posts to date on this blog detail styles that I’ve created. As much as I adore style, I am not a shallow woman. I felt that limiting my conversation to said topics was conveying an inaccurate portrait of “me”. So, after some thought, I decided that adding a new segment/feature could be the way to go =)

This week I’ll start by sharing a graphic that I posted on Instagram & Tumblr a few days ago.

I’ve learned the hard way that I do not have to accept every invitation that I receive. "What?" you may be thinking! Turn down a perfectly fine invitation to a good time?! To elaborate, I’m not solely referring to invitations to literal places , i.e dinner parties, etc., but also to those invitations that beckon us to an emotional and or mental state/place that we don’t care to visit. Appreciate that some conflicts are best left unattended. At times, things may be said to and or about you that beckon you “to go THERE”. I refuse to be taken “THERE”! People will say: “They took me there” or “Don’t take me there”. However, I offer a different perspective. No one can take you “THERE” unless you are willing to go! The short of it: Don’t attend every argument that you are invited to. For example, after carefully thinking a situation through, if I foresee that nothing beneficial will result from me speaking candidly and truthfully, I simply decline the invitation to engage in conflict! I'm thankful for the opportunity, because I believe that life lessons can be learned in every encounter, even the unpleasant ones.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Today's style tale stems from a cluster of bracelets that I snagged at H&M on clearance. I loved the color/design, and I wondered what style concoctions would arise as of a result of the purchase. First I wore them with an all black look, and second with a dark blue dress. Unfortunately I neglected to take pictures in either of those looks...As I've mentioned on my Instagram account, I truly do not like taking pictures. This blog is a labor of love and it regularly takes me completely outside of my comfort zone. Which is not necessarily a bad thing! Nonetheless, I have digressed. On to today's look:

I thought this striped trumpet skirt would be a good fit (for the bracelets), but initially I planned to wear it along with a black top.

I decided to have some fun with it, and went for this neon citron top instead =)

Notice my fun-filled, matching statement ring? I also have a giraffe print on my nails which is equally fun & funky ;)

Friday, June 20, 2014

So I ventured down to the Fashion District and happened up on a fabric store that sold Ankara. Now why did I do that? After I deliberated for nearly an hour, I walked out with two bundles, and had this skirt made with one of them :) This is my very first, yes, one and only, Ankara skirt!

Remember how I said that I'm kinda fond of blue (here)? The blue and yellow in this print captured me!

Even now as I look at it I wonder: Is it yellow or citron?! On camera it looks more yellow, but in person there seems to be a tinge of a green-like hue to it..

The flow and ease of this fabric is totally perfect for the warm breezy days of summer.

I added a simple yellow tank, gold bangles, and a beaded evening bag.

I was more than pleased that my curly curls decided to behave and I had superb curl definition :) For me as a natural haired gal, perfect hair days can be like finding that illusive needle in the haystack!

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

In recent years, there has been much discussion surrounding the use of the word “CURVY”, especially when it comes to plus size women. I have read numerous articles on the controversial subject, some degrading and offensive, and others amusing and somewhat intriguing. For instance, recently I came across an article in my hometown newspaper, The Detroit Free Press. It is titled: “Does 'curvy' label do large women a favor?” The author outlines some of the advancements that have been made in the fashion industry to include plus size women. She says: “It would be tempting to say we, as a society, have evolved. It would be tempting to say we’re no longer bound by prejudices about body size. It would be tempting to say we’re finally seeing and believing that women with large bodies are worthy of our respect.” I found her sentiments intriguing. In my opinion, the society that I live in is still very much bound by prejudices toward body size. The author goes on to say: “Society still loathes large women, it just doesn’t call women large any more. These days, large women are “curvy.” Even if they have no definable waist or hips, the very definition of curvy.”Aha! Herein lies the basis of today’s post: What is the definition of “CURVY”? Can it be subjective or objective?

I asked fellow #psbloggers from one end of the globe to the other to weigh in with me on the following questions:How do you define the word curvy?In the past, when I thought of a curvy woman, I pictured someone who had a smaller, defined waist, and shapely hips. I never believed that being curvy had anything to do with the size of a woman. For example: a woman that wears a size 4 can have curves, just as a woman who wears a size 14 can have curves. A woman who wears a size 6 might not have curves, just as a woman who wears a size 16 might not be the representation of curvy.Do you consider yourself to be curvy?Why yes, I certainly do!Has your perception of the word curvy changed since joining the online plus size community?My perception of the use of the word curvy has changed. I’ve come to realize that curves take on all forms, and shapes. It is not up to me to tell another woman whether she is or is not curvy. If a woman chooses to describe her body as curvy, it is not my taste to challenge the validity of what she asserts. At the end of the day, every woman is beautiful in a unique way.How do you feel about the public’s perception of the word curvy, and its use in the plus size community?I do not feel that being plus size is automatically synonymous with having curves, or being curvy. However, I don’t believe that the public should attack plus size women for using the word curvy to describe their bodies. At the heart of it all, most plus size women do not want their bodies to be described in terms that have a history of being offensive, degrading, and hateful. The descriptive word "CURVY" has a different connotation, one that generally engenders positive thoughts. The word CURVY does and will always have a place among plus size women!The article that I referenced earlier asserts: “What makes most sense is to stop putting women into categories.” Well, that would be nice, but in my opinion, categories do serve a purpose. For instance, when searching for fashion inspiration on Pinterest/Instagram, without categories, how would we specify the images that we’d like to see? Just a thought…Check out what “CURVY” means to my fellow #psbloggers:

Monday, June 16, 2014

Today's #ThriftStoreScore is an example of how vintage styling can take on a modern, even dope, effect.

It can be done simply by adding one or two modern elements.

I added a pair of gladiator sandals and heart shaped sunglasses to a vintage floral print dress and a feather fedora.

I really like how it turned out and plan to try this technique more often :)

Of course, I just had to seize what seemed like the perfect opportunity to wear my vintage fishnet gloves! Have a great day & thanks for stopping by!XFeather Fedora: Vintage, thriftedHeart shaped sunnies: NordstromFishnet gloves: Vintage, thriftedFloral dress: Vintage, thrifted (and I must add that it was practically free at $2.00)Gladiator sandals: RossCrochet clutch: Vintage, thrifted (worn here)Other #ThriftStoreScore posts can be found here, here, and here.

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

I cannot believe that this moment has finally arrived, after months of planning! The #30PlusStyle Collaboration has returned, and this go round we aim to initiate a tidal wave! Let me welcome you to: "The Swimsuit Edition"!!!

This post takes on special meaning for me personally. I hope to inspire women who may feel like I did for many years about my non-flawless body: inadequate and un-beautiful. For the majority of my adult life, I wore a very basic black one piece swimsuit, along with a pair of black swimming trunks designated for men. It did not occur to me that there could possibly be a different swimsuit, one vibrant in color, not to mention a two piece, that could actually flatter and or define my pear-shaped body. Sadly I was accustomed to hiding inside that black one piece swimsuit and my pair of men's swimming trunks. I sometimes wished that I could disappear whenever I had to make an appearance at an ocean, hot spring, or swimming pool.

When I relocated to the west coast, I felt like a woman basking in resilience. My feelings of inadequacy seemed to be replaced with feelings of confidence and I felt less concerned about how people viewed me. I even began to develop a love for being near water. It is relaxing, even joyous, to lay out on a beach or poolside, soaking up the sun's rays.

True story: While I was on location taking pictures for this post, there was a real deal, LIVE, swimsuit photo shoot taking place with professional swimsuit models! The young women were quite small in size. May I even say, tiny? I began to feel my old negative feelings resurging: shame and inadequacy. Just who did I think I was? Why was I taking pictures? What will people think of me for wearing this swimsuit? Almost just in time, the most amazing thing occurred: One of the models called out to me, and she said: "I just have to say, you look amazing." Another then said: "I just love your suit, where is it from?" As a result of those kind words, my insecurities melted away. I remembered that we are indeed, all beautiful. Yes, women are beautiful in every shape and size. And even more remarkably, I realized the power that women have to inspire, and encourage another.

For today's post I decided to provide you with my review of the ever popular Forever 21+ 'Bombshell Bikini', available online and in stores.

Notice that I am wearing the swimsuit in four different ways (alternating a floral print and a solid print) to demonstrate the adaptability that is possible. Do you feel uncomfortable wearing a bikini or a #fatkini? Try wearing a sheer cover-up or even a loose fitting crop top as I demonstrated above. In my opinion, the halter bikini top can leave something to be desired for those of us who are beyond a B/C-cup. However, it is versatile, and can also be worn as a tube style (try tying the halter portion underneath your bosom creating a sort of underwire effect for added support). The best part about the Forever 21+ 'Bombshell Bikini'? It costs less than $30.00 USD!